Social workers help individuals, couples, and families address their problems and improve their ability to participate fully in their communities through clinical and non-clinical programs and treatments.
Although many non-clinical job opportunities are available to individuals with a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree, earning a Master of Social Work (MSW) will prepare students for various roles, including clinical social work.
While having a BSW can expedite earning an MSW, many MSW programs accept students from all educational backgrounds. Because of the amount of coursework and clinical experiences students with no BSW must complete to earn their MSW, these programs typically take at least 16 months to finish. However, most online MSW programs (no BSW) are designed to be completed in two years of full-time study.
This article will explore earning an MSW with no BSW, including what to expect from the curriculum and how to find the right online MSW programs for you. We also spoke with Leslie Reyna, an admissions counselor for the University of Texas at Arlington’s School of Social Work, for her insights into entering the field of social work without a BSW.
How to Earn an MSW Program Without a BSW
If you are a student who doesn’t have a BSW, you’ll want to seek out a traditional MSW program with a curriculum that includes the foundational social work coursework covered in a BSW program. Students must understand the basic frameworks of social work practice before they can advance into higher-level courses, so these foundational courses are an essential part of social work education.
The minimum criteria to enter any master’s program, including an MSW, is a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college. Some traditional MSW programs prefer students who have a bachelor’s degree in a social sciences field, such as sociology, psychology, or human development, while others accept students from all educational backgrounds.
Students may also have to fulfill prerequisite coursework requirements depending on the program. Programs may allow students to use courses completed as part of their undergraduate degree to meet these prerequisites, or they may be able to complete this coursework before enrolling. Students should check with any MSW program they’re considering to find out what, if any, prerequisites there are. You may also be able to waive specific course requirements in your MSW program if you’ve already earned a graduate degree in a similar field, such as counseling.
Other eligibility criteria may include a minimum undergraduate GPA (typically 3.0 or higher), GRE scores, and professional experience in a social services-related field.
What to Expect in an Online MSW Program (No BSW)
Earning an online MSW without a BSW means completing foundational and advanced social work coursework and clinical fieldwork requirements. Traditional MSW programs for students with no BSW typically require 48-60 credit hours. Some accelerated programs can be completed in as little as 16 months of full-time study. However, most programs are designed to take two years of full-time or three years of part-time study.
The curriculum for an online MSW (no BSW) consists of foundational coursework that introduces students to the basics of the social work profession. This includes topics in social work values and ethics, social and economic justice, human development and behaviors, social welfare policy, and services, and the impact of social environment on individuals and groups. Students then move on to advanced coursework focused on providing direct care to clients in clinical settings, as well as leadership, advocacy, and research.
Many online MSW programs (no BSW) offer concentration options in social and organizational impact; administration and community practice; family, youth, and children’s services, and more. Specializations allow students to develop deeper skills in an area of particular interest.
A clinical internship is another key component of MSW programs. “In accredited MSW programs, students must intern at a site that allows them to achieve direct practice experience in which they interact one-on-one with individuals in some capacity, whether providing them with services or connecting them with services,” Reyna says. The required clinical hours vary, but it’s typically around 900 total hours for most traditional MSW programs (no BSW).
Reyna notes that even for online programs, students should plan on attending their internship in person. “There are rare internships that allow students to earn their hours remotely,” she says. “However, these are typically in high demand and often are only provided for students who have a medical or physical disability that prevents them from being able to complete the internship in person. In most cases, the only way internship placements ensure that students obtain the required hours for the internship while also achieving direct practice experience is to have students attend their internship in person.”
In online MSW programs, courses are delivered either synchronously or asynchronously. In a synchronous program, students participate in live virtual classes, allowing them to engage with faculty and classmates. Meanwhile, asynchronous programs have no scheduled classes. Instead, students can access and complete lessons and assignments according to their schedule, giving them more flexibility.
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How we rank schools
Our list features the best online One-Year Social Work degree programs at top colleges nationwide. Each school featured is a nonprofit, accredited institution — either public or private — with a high standard of academic quality for post-secondary institutions.
We evaluated each school’s program on tuition costs, admission, retention and graduation rates, faculty, reputation, and the student resources provided for online students. We collected data from trusted sources like the National Center for Education Statistics, individual school and program websites, school admissions counselors, and other data sources. Then, we calculated the Intelligent Score on a scale of 0 to 100 based on the following criterion:
Academic Quality:
- Admission rate versus enrollment rate
- Retention rate of students who return after year one
- Accreditation status (regional and programmatic)
- Nonprofit status, both private and public institutions
Graduation Rate
- Overall graduation rate
- Total number of currently enrolled students, including diversity metrics
- Student-to-faculty ratio
Cost and ROI
- In-state and out-of-state per-credit tuition rates and fees
- Required credits to graduate
- Earning potential after graduation
- Availability of federal student loans, scholarships, and other financial aid options
Student Resources
- Available student services for online-only and hybrid programs
- On-campus amenities like tutoring centers and the number of libraries
Read more about our ranking methodology.
Best 16 One-Year Online MSW Programs (No BSW)
FiltersInstitution Type
Status
- Intelligent Score
- Alphabetically By University Name
- Acceptance Rate
- Enrollment
- In-state Graduate Tuition
- Out-of-state Graduate Tuition
- In-state Undergraduate Tuition
- Out-of-state Undergraduate Tuition
Fordham University
Intelligent Score: 99.62In-state: $54,730
Out-of-state: $54,730
In-state: $23,112
Out-of-state: $23,112
SAT: 1230-1410
ACT: 27-32
$1,045
Online
Council on Social Work Education
31-62
University of Southern California
Intelligent Score: 99.34In-state: $59,260
Out-of-state: $59,260
In-state: $47,880
Out-of-state: $47,880
SAT: 1340-1530
ACT: 30-34
$2,137
Online
Council on Social Work Education
24-48
Simmons University
Intelligent Score: 99.24In-state: $40,850
Out-of-state: $40,850
In-state: $21,528
Out-of-state: $21,528
SAT: 1060-1250
ACT: 24-29
$1,148
Online
Council on Social Work Education
34
University of Louisville
Intelligent Score: 97.76In-state: $11,966
Out-of-state: $28,312
In-state: $13,260
Out-of-state: $13,260
SAT: 1050-1270
ACT: 21-28
$791
Online
Council on Social Work Education
30-60
Tulane University School of Social Work
Intelligent Score: 96.81In-state: $83,890
Out-of-state: $83,890
In-state: $50,674
Out-of-state: $50,674
SAT: 1370-1510
ACT: 31- 33
$1,276
Online, On-Campus
Council on Social Work Education
48
Boise State University
Intelligent Score: 96.37In-state: $5,532
Out-of-state: $22,452
In-state: $7,110
Out-of-state: $7,110
SAT: 1030-1210
ACT: 21-26
$495
Online
Council on Social Work Education
37
Indiana University
Intelligent Score: 96.00In-state: $9,815
Out-of-state: $36,194
In-state: $9,786
Out-of-state: $9,786
SAT: 1120-1350
ACT: 24-31
In-State: $624
Out-of-State: $741
Online
Council on Social Work Education
60
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Intelligent Score: 94.73In-state: $11,332
Out-of-state: $28,522
In-state: $11,468
Out-of-state: $11,468
SAT: 1140-1303
ACT: 25-31
In-State: $700
Out-of-State: $775
Online
Council on Social Work Education
60
The University of Texas at Arlington
Intelligent Score: 93.45In-state: $11,448
Out-of-state: $40,032
In-state: $12,028
Out-of-state: $12,028
SAT: 1210-1470
ACT: 26-33
$621
Online
Council on Social Work Education
38
Baylor University
Intelligent Score: 93.29In-state: $44,544
Out-of-state: $44,544
In-state: $33,408
Out-of-state: $33,408
SAT: N/A
ACT: N/A
$1,100
Online
Council on Social Work Education
30
Howard University
Intelligent Score: 92.86In-state: $26,464
Out-of-state: $26,464
In-state: $32,248
Out-of-state: $32,248
SAT: 1130-1260
ACT: 22-26
$1,214
Online
Council on Social Work Education
45
Virginia Commonwealth University
Intelligent Score: 90.03In-state: $12,179
Out-of-state: $32,827
In-state: $12,703
Out-of-state: $12,703
SAT: 1060-1250
ACT: 21-28
In-State: $634
Out-of-State: $750
Online
Council on Social Work Education
30
Case Western Reserve University
Intelligent Score: 87.69In-state: $52,448
Out-of-state: $52,448
In-state: $47,920
Out-of-state: $47,920
SAT: 1340-1520
ACT: 31-34
$1,650
Online
Council on Social Work Education
39- 60
University of Alaska Anchorage
Intelligent Score: 87.39In-state: $36,848
Out-of-state: $50,432
In-state: $39,954
Out-of-state: $39,954
SAT: 1030-1250
ACT: 18-25
Resident: $513
Non-Resident: $1,079
Online
Council on Social Work Education
61
Delaware State University
Intelligent Score: 85.25In-state: $7,038
Out-of-state: $16,960
In-state: $5,160
Out-of-state: $5,160
SAT: 810-1010
ACT: 17-22
In-State: $455
Out-of-State: $948
Online
Council on Social Work Education
30- 60
Columbia School of Social Work
Intelligent Score: 85In-state: $57,864
Out-of-state: $57,864
In-state: $49,024
Out-of-state: $49,024
SAT: 1460-1570
ACT: 33-35
$2,022
Online
Council on Social Work Education
33
How to Choose an Online MSW Program (No BSW) That’s Right for You
Clarify career goals and interests
Before exploring online MSW programs (no BSW), reflect on why you want to pursue this degree and what type of social work career you hope to have post-graduation. Clarity will make finding a program that aligns with your goals and interests easier.
An important consideration is what specialization you’re seeking, if any. Many online MSW programs (no BSW) have a generalist curriculum, which introduces students to various areas of social work practice. Others allow students to choose a focus based on a specific area of practice, such as social justice and advocacy or leadership, or a particular client population, such as children, seniors, or individuals with developmental disabilities.
You should also establish logistical parameters to help you narrow your search. Do you want an asynchronous program for maximum flexibility, or do you prefer synchronous classes with interaction with faculty and classmates? Are you planning on enrolling full-time or part-time?
Confirm accreditation status
“Students should always choose an online MSW program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education,” Reyna says. This accreditation ensures that students receive a social work education that meets industry standards. It’s especially important as a requirement for those who want to obtain a state-issued clinical social work license. Says Reyna, “Students who earn a degree from an unaccredited MSW program run the risk of not being able to pursue licensure.” Students should also confirm that the school they’re enrolling in has regional accreditation from a recognized accrediting body to ensure they’re eligible for financial aid and future educational opportunities.”
Review state license requirements
If you intend to use your MSW to become a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), you’ll want to check in with your state’s regulatory board to review their educational requirements. This will help you ensure that the program you select meets the state’s academic requirements where you want to practice. In the U.S., you must have a state-issued license to practice as an LCSW and provide direct care to clients. Earning an MSW from a program that doesn’t meet state educational requirements can present an obstacle to getting your LCSW.
Consider cost and financial aid availability
Determine what you can afford to pay out of pocket for your online MSW (no BSW) degree and how much financial aid you’ll need. Most schools publish tuition information online, but you can also speak to a financial aid counselor for more specific details on cost breakdowns and additional fees.
If you need student loans to help pay for your degree, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Schools use FAFSA information to determine eligibility for federal student aid, including loans, as well as institutional need-based aid. We strongly encourage students to research student loans and repayment options before committing to borrowing money to fund their social work degree.
You’ll also want to explore other ways of paying for school, including scholarships from external sources and employer tuition assistance benefits.
What You Can Do with an MSW
For students who don’t have a BSW, an MSW can open doors to various social work positions.
According to Reyna, “As an admissions counselor, I’ve encountered students with bachelor’s degrees in nursing, psychology, education, law, and even engineering who wanted to earn their master’s in social work because it allows students to further explore the human service sector in a way that other degrees do not.”
Reyna adds, “Students who earn an MSW are not limited to just counseling careers. This degree provides a foundation in project management, community outreach, service navigation, program evaluation, and nonprofit management.”
For students who do want to pursue a career in clinical social work, an accredited online MSW will fulfill the educational criteria they must meet to pursue their license. The specific requirements for licensure vary by state, but generally, students must complete additional post-graduation supervised clinical hours and pass an Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) exam to obtain their LCSW credential.
Some common jobs that MSW graduates can pursue include:
- Social workers — Help individuals, groups, and families prevent and cope with problems in their everyday lives.
- Median annual salary: $55,350
- Projected employment growth (through 2032): 7%
- New jobs projected: 63,800 per year
- Licensed mental health counselors — Help individuals cope with and recover from a range of issues, including depression, anxiety, trauma, addiction, behavioral disorders, and more.
- Median annual salary: $49,710
- Projected employment growth (through 2032): 18%
- New jobs projected: 42,000 per year
- Social and community services managers — In this administrative position, social workers coordinate and supervise programs and organizations that support public well-being and may manage employees who provide these services.
- Median annual salary: $74,240
- Projected employment growth (through 2032): 9%
- New jobs projected: 16,000 per year
Other Social Work Resources
- Can You Study Social Work Online?
- What Can You Do With A Social Work Degree?
- What Jobs Can You Get With A Social Work Degree?
- How To Get A Degree In Social Work
- LMSW vs. LCSW: What’s the Difference?
- MSW vs. MSSW vs. MSSA: Which One is Right For Me?
- Micro, Mezzo, and Macro Social Work: What’s the Difference?
- MSW vs. LCSW: What’s the Difference?